Method of moistening press-copying leaves



(No Model)" H. ,THUM.

METHOD OF MOISTBNING PRESS GOPYING LEAVES. No.- 402,205. Patented Apr, 30, 18 89.

N PEI'ERs. Phamlinhcgraphur. Washin ton. D. C.

UNITED STATES, PATENT ()FFICE.-

HUGO THUM, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

METHOD OF MOISTENING PRESS-COPYING LEAVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,205, dated April 30, 1889. I

A Application filed July 25, 1888- Serial No. 280,994. (No specimens.)

the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to the moistening of sheets of paper used for press-copying, the object of the invention being to keep such sheets in any number uniformly and evenly moistened for any desired length of timef In processes heretofore used-such as the Chadwickthe sheets are kept moist a week, but not evenly, as they are at the maximum condition ofmoisture at first, and the moisture decreases to the last, so that as ordinarily used there is an excess when the moisture is first .applied and a lack at the latter end of' the interval (usually a week) between the successive applications of water to the sheets.

My. invention consists, essentially, in supplying moisture to the sheets by means of a wick, and this I do in the manner hereinafter described. I may apply water to the loose sheets or to sheets bound in the form of a book. When so bound, each leaf is paraffined or treated with some equivalent water proofing material on the margin next to the binding to prevent the moisture from injuring the binding or wetting the back of the book, and the moistened sheets are separated from those which .are to be kept dry by means of interposed oiled or paraflined sheets.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of a book with the reservoir and the moisture-conveying wick in position.

In carrying out my invention I take any suitable vessel, A, for a reservoir and fill it with water, to which I add a minute proportion of some antiseptic to prevent decomposition. This reservoir may be placed below or on the stand or table on which the book B or pile of sheets is resting. The desired number of leaves of the book or a suitable number of sheets are separated from those which are to be kept dry by the interposed waterproof leaves C, as explained. Then one end of the wick Dis placed in the water of the reservoir and the other between the leaves, preferably near the middle of the number separated from the others by the water-proof sheets. Instead of laying the end of the wick between the leaves, a bibulous cloth or sheet of bibulous material, which will serve the same purpose, is laid between the leaves, and

the wick is connected to that in any such manner that the water conveyed by the wick will be taken up and distributed evenly by the bibulous sheet throughout the mass of leaves. Manifestly more than one such bibulous sheet or cloth may be used between different sheets and connected to the same wick. The amount of moisture conveyed may be regulated by the size of the wick or by raising and lowering the reservoir. Evaporation of the water from the wick may be prevented by inclosing the wick in arubber or other water-proof tube from its exit from the reservoir to its entrance to the book. IVith this method a small quantity of water will keep a given number of sheets (for example, fifty) in the exact condi-' tion of moisture required for months. For every wet sheet removed for use a dry one may be added to the wet by shifting the water proof divisional sheet. In this way a definite number is always kept on hand and these are always and uniformly kept in a moist condition in every part and to a proper degree.

The antiseptic is desirable to prevent the generation of microscopic plants or animalculee, which would obstruct the wick, and it also keeps the sheets from molding I claim as'my invention-'- 1. The method of preparing a quantity of sheets of press-copyingpaper for use by moistening the same, consisting in placing and supporting one end of a wick in direct connection with the sheets, the other end of said wick extending to and being located and supported in a reservoir, the said wick remaining in permanent contact with the entire number of sheets desired to be prepared to cause complete and proper saturation thereof, substan tially as described.

2. The method of preparing sheets of press copying paper for use by moistening, consisting in separating the desired number of sheets from the entire number by means of oil= boards, then placing and supporting one end reservoir containing water having an anti- 10 of a wick in direct connection with and. by septic therein, substantially as described. said sheets, the other end of which extends in testimony whereoflhave signed mynanie into a reservoir, substantially as deseri bed. to this specification in the presence of two sub- 5 3. The method of preparing sheets of press scribing witnesses.

copying paper by moistening the same, 0011- lIUGO 'illlfL'M.

sisting in placing and supporting one end of itncssesz a Wick in direct connection with said sheets, FREDERICK LOETTGERT,

the other end of: said wick extending into a DAVID SCHOENFELD. 

